Fitness testing results: Which players stood out?

VANCOUVER, BC – For the players, they’re excruciating. For the training staff, they’re a necessary evil. And for the rest of us?

They’re just fun to watch.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC are off to sunny Arizona on Monday, but first they had to undergo their annual preseason fitness tests on Friday at the University of British Columbia.

Fortunately, whitecapsfc.com was there to capture all of the fun.

The team was split up into two groups, defenders/goalkeepers and midfielders/strikers, and each player had to test at stations for speed, agility, endurance, and jumping.

As expected, Erik Hurtado and Darren Mattocks were the cream of the crop in the various speed tests, but there were some other standouts as well – including many from Whitecaps FC’s Residency program.

Like Hurtado and Mattocks, Residency centre back Jackson Farmer finished in the top five in all but two of the seven categories. U-23 right back Ethen Sampson was the next best performer across the board, having finished in the top five in four of the seven categories.

Whitecaps FC begin their 2014 MLS season on March 8 versus New York Red Bulls at BC Place. Season tickets start at just $349, subject to applicable fees. The 'Caps also offer a flexible range of ticket products, including half-season tickets ($244), 5-packs ($149), student season tickets ($199), and a youth soccer half-season ticket ($100). For more information on all Whitecaps FC ticket options, call 604.669.9283 ext. 2 or visitwhitecapsfc.com/tickets.